Bali Ranked #25 on List of World’s Finest Island Destinations for 2024 Vacations
The top islands in the globe in 2024 are Santorini, Greece, Bali, Indonesia, Hawaii, Madagascar, Phuket, Palawan, and Thailand.
Islands are timeless natural wonders that never fail to entice visitors. This is due to the fact that islands provide a variety of marine life, long expanses of sandy beach, and verdant mangrove forests.
In 2024, these 25 islands will be the most popular vacation spots on Earth, according to US News Travel. The picturesque landscapes and convenient accessibility of these islands make for an unforgettable vacation.
Half of the points come from visitors’ ratings, while the other half come from the editor’s evaluation, which determines the final ranking.
Scenery, culture, people, cuisine, nightlife, accessibility, adventure, romance, and family amenities are the categories that editors use to score each location.
Year 2024: The World’s Finest Islands
To help you plan your next vacation, US News Travel has compiled a list of the top islands in the world for 2024:
1. Greece’s Santorini Island
Most newlyweds consider Santorini to be the most romantic place to spend their honeymoon. Aside from serving as a haven for passionately in love couples, Santorini also provides informative excursions of wineries and historical sites, such as the ruins of Thira and Ancient Akrotiri.
2. The Island of Mauritius
Situated approximately 900 kilometers east of Madagascar, the island nation of Mauritius is situated in the southwest Indian Ocean. Many of Mauritius’s natural attractions, including its mountains, waterfalls, and other geological wonders, are open to the public.
Moreover, the island, which is only a day’s flight from the US, is home to sega music, which is considered a cultural treasure by UNESCO.
3. Catalonia, Italy
The little island of Capri has become a popular destination for affluent tourists drawn to its resorts and stores. This island in Italy is accessible only by boat, and it boasts rugged landscapes and azure waters. From Capri, you can see the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast like no other island.
4. The Australian Whitsunday Islands
A group of seventy-four picturesque islands off the coast of Queensland, Australia, make up the Whitsunday Islands. The proximity of Whitsunday to the Great Barrier Reef makes it an ideal destination for those who enjoy marine tourism, particularly scuba diving and snorkeling, due to the stunning underwater scenery.
5. Italy’s Sardinia
The subtropical climate of Sardinia has made it a popular destination for cruise ships departing from the Mediterranean.
There are 12 miles of excellent sand and shallow blue waters on this Italian island, which is located on the Costa Smeralda.
6. Zanzibar
In the Indian Ocean, 32 miles from Tanzania’s shore, is the island of Zanzibar. In addition to its stunning underwater scenery, Zanzibar’s Batu City showcases a UNESCO-recognized fusion of African, Indian, Arab, and European civilizations.
7. French Polynesia, Tahiti
Tourists interested in sipping cocktails while watching the sun go down might find Tahiti to be the perfect destination. Plage de Toaroto, with its white sands, and the Faarumai waterfall are only two of Tahiti’s many tourist attractions.
8. Cyprus
In 2024, Cyprus is considered one of the world’s top islands. Cyprus is a popular tourist destination because to its beautiful white sand beaches, scenic hiking paths, and historical ruins.
9. The land of Madagascar
With over a hundred different lemur species, not to mention a plethora of other birds, frogs, chameleons, and uncommon flora, Madagascar is truly a biodiversity hotspot. Off the eastern coast of Africa lies an island nearly the size of Texas in the United States.
10. Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands have retained their enchantment since Charles Darwin’s discovery nearly two centuries ago. The iguanas, sea lions, turtles, and birds that inhabit the Galapagos Islands contribute to their mystique.
11. Fiji
There are a number of stunning islands in Fiji, including the Mamanuca Islands, which are known for their beautiful, unspoilt beaches.
In addition to its breathtaking scenery, the welcoming locals and interesting cultural practices—like the fire walking ceremony—make Fiji a popular tourist destination.
13. The Philippine island of Palawan
Visitors to Palawan have the opportunity to swim in Lake Kayangan, kayak through the underground river tunnels of Puerto Princesa, and explore El Nido’s Bacuit Bay lagoon.
For those interested in underwater tourism, the months of November through May are ideal.
The French Polynesian island of Bora Bora
When you visit Bora-Bora in 2024, you may be able to fulfill some of your travel dreams, such as lounging on Matira Beach, riding a boat across the turquoise waves, and driving through lush forests.
Tourists should bring extra cash, though, because Bora-Bora is notoriously pricey.
14. Portugal’s Azores
There are direct flights from New York City to the Azores, a group of nine islands in the Atlantic Ocean that have recently gained a lot of fame.
Hiking and whale viewing in this supposedly paradisiacal Portuguese location are experiences you won’t soon forget.
15. The Bahamas
Bermuda, an island in the Atlantic Ocean that is 21 square miles in size, is a British dominion. Bermuda is home to several secret coves, pink sand beaches (such as NTT’s Red Beach) and historic colonial buildings in Saint George.
16. Bali
Bali, being one of the world’s most beautiful islands, could be a great option for a 2024 vacation. Long recognized for more than just its stunning coastline, Bali is also home to several old sacred places, like Tirta Empul and the Uluwatu Temple.
17. The Bahamas
Harbor Island in the Bahamas is a tropical paradise with white sand beaches and year-round sunshine. Beyond that, the Bahamas are famous for housing the world’s third-largest coral reef.
18. Spain’s Mallorca
Mallorca is the most visited island in Europe during the summer, thanks to its many resorts and miles of beautiful white sand beach. Mallorca boasts around 300 beaches that are perfect for beachcombing.
19. U.S. state of Hawaii
Spectacular Hawaiian flora awaits hikers at Akaka Falls State Park.
Additionally, Hawaii is host to a plethora of other natural wonders, including Punalu’u forest sand beaches, Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
20. Islands of Turks and Caicos
One of the world’s largest coral reefs is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Bight Reef, home to hundreds of species of vibrant coral fish, and Smith’s Reef, a haven for stingrays and turtles, are just two of the many must-visit dive sites in this scuba diver’s paradise.
21. Saint Lucia
St. Lucia is an island in the Eastern Caribbean known for its tropical climate. With its diverse flora and fauna, Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths draw visitors to the island, which is referred to as a geological wonder.
22. New Zealand’s South Island
Tourists interested in more than just seascapes may find South Island, New Zealand, to be an ideal destination. The South Island is home to verdant woods, mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and more.
23. Phuket, Thailand
The Thai island of Phuket sits on the Andaman Sea and is known for its beautiful rainforests and many Buddhist temples.
Phuket visitors can choose Promthep Cape for the greatest views of the sea.
24. Corfu, Greek Island
For tourists on a tighter budget, Corfu might be a great substitute for a Greek vacation. The cultural and natural attractions, such as the Agios Gordios and Paleokastritsa beaches and the 13th-century Paleokastritsa Monastery, are enough to keep visitors from wanting to depart.
25. The Hawaiian island of Kauai
Among the world’s top islands in 2024, Kauai is a top pick. Thrill seekers will find enough to do on this, Hawaii’s oldest and most mountainous island, such as scaling the peaks and gorges of Waimea Canyon.